Tuesday 14th March 2023
Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Events Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP, on behalf of Prime Minister Hon. James Marape MP, today announced two significant upcoming visits that involve the Prime Minister of India and the President of Indonesia, in May and June this year, respectively.
The official visit of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi coincides with the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) to be hosted in Papua New Guinea from May 22nd – 23rd and will see the participation of leaders from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Minister Tkatchenko said FIPIC is aimed at forging a stronger and more strategic partnership between the 5th largest economy of the world and Pacific Island Countries under a regional framework through existing bilateral relations.
“This is the third summit that is being held where we are co-hosting with India this year.”
“This is a historical event; we have never had the prime minister of one of the biggest leading economies and populations (of the world) come to Papua New Guinea before and this shows the commitment that India wants to play in the region and also with Papua New Guinea going forward.”
“They do trade with us in many different sectors to assist us and assist our economy.”
Minister Tkatchenko said after a virtual conference call with Prime Minister Modi, a mutual commitment was agreed for both countries to collaborate more effectively across a range of different sectors, particularly in business, agriculture and technology.
“India does well in its Small to Media Enterprise programs and activities, in agriculture and also in information technology.”
“They are leading the way so we look forward in welcoming the Indian Prime Minister Modi to PNG for this very important bilateral meeting with our prime minister and to strengthen our relationship.”
Minister Tkatchenko extended his welcome to leaders from the Pacific who will be coming to brace the shores of Papua New Guinea after a long absence due to COVID.
“We had the Australia Prime Minister come at the beginning of the year for an official visit and that was a big success, a lot of positive things came out of that visit.”
“And now we have the Indian Prime Minister in May and we look also look forward to the official visit of the Indonesian President in June as well.”
“We are going to have a busy time with our Asian leaders coming into PNG, and that tells you that they see Papua New Guinea as a force to be reckoned with in the Pacific.”
“They see us as the way forward in trade and economics, diplomacy and many other things.”
“We take advantage of these visits, it’s about outcomes, and we must produce
outcomes for the benefit of our people.”
“These visits enable positive outcomes that welcome different developments, infrastructure and many programs and activities,” Minister Tkatchenko said.